Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Abu Obeida: War criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi ministers have deliberately set their minds on reducing the number of living enemy captives by half
Abu Obeidah: Our freedom fighters are in a state of alert, readiness, and high morale; ready to demonstrate unique exemplars of heroism and bravery, and they will teach the invaders harsh lessons
Abu Obeida: The enemy’s army will pay the price with the blood of its soldiers, and the chances of capturing more soldiers will increase, God willing
Military spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida: The enemy’s criminal plans to occupy Gaza will be a disaster for its political and military leadership
US to refuse visas to Palestinian officials at UN summit focused on state: State Dept
Lebanese Army Commander: We are carrying out the necessary coordination with the Syrian authorities regarding control of the northern and eastern borders, as it serves a common interest
Lebanese Army Commander: Nothing will deter us from continuing to shoulder our responsibilities in various regions [in Lebanon] and along the Lebanese border
Lebanese Army Commander: The army will take the necessary steps to ensure the success of its mission, while taking into account maintaining civil peace and internal stability
Lebanese Army Commander: The Army bears major responsibilities at various levels and is entering a critical phase in which it will undertake sensitive missions
Sources in the Ministry of Defense in Sanaa to Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The enemy aims to prepare the Israeli interior for the Yemeni operations that will strike deep into "Israel"

US imposes sanctions on ICC judges over Netanyahu arrest warrant

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 Jun 2025 07:16
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The Trump administration imposes sanctions on four ICC judges, as Netanyahu praises the move.

Listen
  • x
  • US imposes sanctions on ICC judges over Netanyahu arrest warrant.
    Presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc enters the courtroom where Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared by video link before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 14, 2025. (AP)

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), including two who were involved in issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes committed in Gaza.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures, which bar the judges from entering the US and freeze any assets under US jurisdiction, sanctions typically used against US adversaries, not jurists.

Washington doubles down on Israeli impunity

Rubio defended the decision by vowing to “protect our sovereignty, that of Israel, and any other U.S. ally from illegitimate actions by the ICC.” The remarks signal an escalation in Washington’s campaign to shield Israeli leaders from accountability for crimes committed during their ongoing assault on Gaza.

Netanyahu praised the decision, thanking President Donald Trump and Rubio for "standing up for the right of Israel," despite growing international consensus that "Israel’s" conduct in Gaza may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Read more: ICC judges issue gag order on arrest warrants in Israeli war crimes

Related News

US to deny visas to PA officials ahead of UN summit on statehood

House Democrats urge Rubio to admit injured Gaza kids after visa halt

ICC defends its mandate amid growing pressure

Meanwhile, the ICC condemned the sanctions, calling them “a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution.” The court, based in The Hague, operates under a mandate ratified by 125 State Parties, including many key US allies.

The sanctioned judges, Beti Hohler (Slovenia), Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin), Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza (Peru), and Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), were involved in proceedings related to both the war on Gaza and US war crimes in Afghanistan.

Read more: 'Israel' asks ICC to withdraw arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Human rights groups slam 'brazen' US threat

Human Rights Watch condemned the sanctions as an attempt to “deter the ICC from seeking accountability amid grave crimes committed in Israel and Palestine,” particularly as Israeli atrocities in Gaza mount, with direct US support.

The Gaza investigation resulted in arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant. The court said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe the two were criminally responsible for war crimes, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Read more: ICC weighing arrest warrants for Israeli ministers over West Bank: WSJ

US and 'Israel': Outside the ICC, but not beyond its reach

Although neither the United States nor "Israel" are parties to the Rome Statute, the ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Palestine, a State Party since 2015. The court also holds jurisdiction over any crimes committed on the territory of member states or by their nationals.

Former US President Joe Biden’s administration had adopted a more cooperative tone toward the ICC, particularly during its investigation into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Under Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the US lifted Trump-era sanctions on court officials and expressed support for international justice on a selective, case-by-case basis. However, this posture shifted dramatically once the court turned its attention to Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The same administration that welcomed the ICC’s pursuit of accountability in Russia echoed the rhetoric of delegitimization when similar standards are applied to its ally, "Israel".

Read more: European Union warns sanctions on ICC threaten International Justice

  • Marco Rubio
  • United States
  • The Hague
  • International Criminal Court
  • ICC
  • Washington
  • Israel
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025
Although it does seem likely they will launch some kind of operation in northern Gaza, one which will accelerate its mass murder of civilians, but will fail to achieve its stated objectives. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Here is why the Israeli occupation of Gaza won’t work

  • Opinion
  • 26 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
AI safety tests expose alarming misuse risks in ChatGPT models
Technology

AI safety: ChatGPT offered bomb recipes and hacking tips

Jewish Health professionals condemn silence over Gaza
Politics

Jewish health professionals condemn silence over Gaza

BDS Portugal halts Israeli-linked music festival
Arts and Culture

BDS Portugal halts Israeli-linked music festival

Members of the Iranian Parliament participate in a vote of confidence, in the cabinet of President Ebrahim Raisi, at the Islamic Consultative Assembly in Tehran, Iran August 25, 2021. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA)
Politics

Iran’s parliament submits emergency bill to withdraw from NPT

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS